From Our Blog

State of the Community: Tribes

The Chamber is proud to convene this conversation on the state of the community. On Friday, September 17, both the Skokomish and Squaxin Island Tribes provided perspective about how they’ve fared this year and touched on accomplishments, challenges, and future plans. This Event is in Partnership of the Presenters: Heidi McCutcheonShelton-Mason County Chamber(360) 490-3741 directheidi@masonchamber.com Tom StrongVice Chair and CEOSkokomish Indian Tribe(360) 426-4232 ext. 2022tstrong@skokomish.org Marvin CampbellTribal Administrator and TreasurerSquaxin Island Tribe(360) 432-3909mcampbell@squaxin.us

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Nominations Open for Chamber Awards

Local businesses are doing much more than surviving, they are inspiring! It’s time to celebrate the best in our local business community by nominating those individuals who exemplify initiative for the Annual Awards presented by the Shelton-Mason Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber celebrates businesses within Mason County each year for their unique contributions, successes, and spirit of community. There are five distinguished categories to earn accolades this year so it’s time to reflect upon the past year in a positive Read more…

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A Welcome Center for Mason County

Guest article by Rachel Hansen of Northwest Event Organizers The Mason County Board of Commissioners recently approved funding for further development of plans to create a tourism Welcome Center on Hwy 101 near Taylor Town.  The project had originally been proposed after the County’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee examined long term strategies to meet changing needs of visitors and tourism providers. At that time, the county contracted with a local Shelton corporation, Northwest Event Organizers to examine the feasibility of Read more…

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Lack of Childcare: #1 Culprit to Job Shortage?

Parents and employers remain greatly challenged by childcare accessibility and affordability across our region. Even before the Covid crisis, Grays Harbor, Mason, and Thurston counties had already reported a shortage of childcare options. The Chamber chaired a Child Care Task Force in early 2021 to assess childcare challenges, how those affect parents, employers, and childcare providers, and develop locally-driven strategies to respond. The findings share some of what had been anticipated: parents are lacking choices and ultimately employers feel the Read more…

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Employers: Long-Term Care Payroll

Are you considered an employee of your company? When the quickly approaching Long-Term Care Payroll Tax was covered in our Chamber webinar on July 15, 2021, it was our understanding self-employed individuals would not be subject to the tax. That is no longer (necessarily) the case. If you are an employee of the company you own, you are not considered self-employed. This means that if you receive a W-2 from your company, you will be automatically registered for the Long Term Read more…

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What Now? Another Payroll Tax?!

Income earners in Washington will soon be taxed for a one-size-fits-all, long-term care insurance plan. Most people are unaware of this impending payroll tax and what – if anything – can be done to avoid it. One thing is for certain, if you do nothing, you will have no recourse and will begin paying out every paycheck without the ability to later opt out. You have only until October 31 to plan ahead. The Chamber convenes a conversation on this Read more…

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Create YouTube Videos That Attract New Customers

On June 24, the Chamber hosted a livestream of Grow with Google’s Digital Partner Series workshop, “Create YouTube Videos That Attract New Customers.” YouTube Marketing Manager Maxwell invited video experts from around the world to showcase different styles: selfe style, simple backdrop, voice over, point & shoot, top-down, product in action, told with text, built from stills, and animation. Experts also shared best practices, great tips, and free tools to get you started. To wrap things up, Google Instructor Anna Read more…

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What the Mask Mandates Look Like for Businesses Now

In early May, the CDC face covering guidance was updated to say that fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, except in certain locations (health care settings, jails, homeless shelters, schools, and public transportation). Although 33 states have eliminated it, in Washington, there is no end date for the mask mandate. Governor Inslee’s May 21 mask mandate update makes an exception for anyone who is vaccinated. As of May 28, approximately 52% of Read more…

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